Rare Bob Dylan Draft Lyrics Discovered in Allen Ginsberg Book Set for Auction
An extremely rare piece of music history has surfaced with the discovery of a torn page bearing Bob Dylan's draft lyrics for the 1967 song I'm Not There, found tucked inside a first-edition paperback of Allen Ginsberg's Ankor Wat. The page, which dates back almost 60 years, is scheduled to go under the hammer in April, with estimates suggesting it could fetch between £20,000 and £40,000 at auction.
Historical Context of the Song and Its Release
During the summer of 1967 in New York, just outside Woodstock, Bob Dylan collaborated with his then-backing group, The Band, to write and record over 100 songs. Among these was I'm Not There, a track that remained unreleased for decades. A small collection of these recordings was issued by Columbia Records eight years later, but I'm Not There only saw an official release in 2007 as part of the soundtrack for Todd Haynes' film of the same name. Today, the song is highly regarded by many Dylan enthusiasts for its lyrical depth and artistic significance.
Discovery and Provenance of the Lyrics
The draft lyrics were discovered inside a book once owned by Sally Grossman, the wife of Dylan's first manager, Albert Grossman, and a close friend of the singer. Sally Grossman is famously featured alongside Dylan on the cover of his 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home. The book was a gift from Allen Ginsberg to Sally Grossman in 1969 and became part of her estate, which was sold to a book dealer after her death in 2021. According to Omega Auctions, the lyrics likely remained hidden in the book for years, only falling out when the seller was leafing through its pages.
Auction Details and Market Value
Omega Auctions, handling the sale, described the item as an extremely rare working lyric draft from one of Dylan's greatest songwriting efforts. The auction house noted that discussions with notable Dylan collectors have reinforced its rarity and value. In comparison, two typewritten drafts for Dylan's 1965 hit Mr Tambourine Man sold for US$508,000 at auction in Nashville in 2025, highlighting the high demand for such music memorabilia.
Other Notable Items in the Upcoming Auction
The April auction will not only feature Dylan's draft lyrics but also include other significant music artifacts, such as:
- Michael Jackson's handwritten lyrics for Black or White.
- An archive related to the development of Radiohead's album OK Computer.
This event underscores the ongoing interest in rare music memorabilia among collectors and fans alike.
